Stoke City- Good Football?

Had this debate a few days ago with my friends and we all came to the conclusion that Stoke don't play good football but they play a way that works for them and the players they've got. They use Delap's throws, long balls and high crosses as they have a big aerial threat. Good football involves passing on the ground with good threw balls etc which Stoke don't do. But the way they play works for them and as long as it works (no matter how boring it must be to watch week in week out) they should still play the same way.

The question is: would Barca beat Stoke on a cold and wintery night in Stoke? Not sure, but it would painful to watch. All that tallent being kicked all over the gaff!

Would Barca beat the old crazy gang on a frezzin wintery day, with a certain V.Jones crushing the bollox of Messi - ala Gazza style... me think nots!!

Absoulute eye sore to good football.

yes, they play football that gets them the results they need so in my opinion that makes it good

Personally, people seem to be getting carried away with Stoke. They are a football team, that plays football, full stop. Any notion that they play good football, I think is rather far-fetched. They do not play good football. They base their football on size and strength, not skill, fines, etc. They launch the ball high from the back all day, do not even attempt to put the ball on the floor.

There was a moment on Saturday, Stoke broke forward with about four players, I think. United had three at the back. Normally that would mean the attacking team to try and take advantage of this. But because Crouch was still in Stokes' half, they halted their attack, ball went wide left, then back to their own half, left back to centre half, then to the right back, then the defender launched it towards Crouch, who lost the aerial battle, then United possession. How is that positive, good football?

They have a vociferous crowd and the atmosphere is great, but football-wise, they are a bit of a bore, or even an eyesore.

actually to be fair to Stoke, they won the second half vs United by matching us and playing better football than we did. Fletcher and Ando were outfought in CM and Crouch got the better of our defence especially in the RB channel and should have scored 3 really. Wheras Berba and Owen hardly moved. They didnt have any set pieces or long throws to talk about really. Yes the won corners because they took the game to us.

comment by Benzeguero. (U5416)
posted 12 hours, 49 minutes ago
Love watching Stoke, especially in Europe at the Britannia

Always interesting to see how foreign teams deal with Stoke's approach and set pieces.

I can see them getting very far and who knows, they may well win the Europa and if Barca win the Champions League, we will finally get the ultimate hypotheical matchup that all Messi/Barca haters fantasize about

Stoke vs Barca in the Super Cup

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I would definitely tune in for that!

lways interesting to see how foreign teams deal with Stoke's approach and set pieces.

I can see them getting very far and who knows, they may well win the Europa and if Barca win the Champions League, we will finally get the ultimate hypotheical matchup that all Messi/Barca haters fantasize about

Stoke vs Barca in the Super Cup

---------------------------------------

I would definitely tune in for that!

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it wouldnt be the same as they wouldnt be playing at Stoke

Stoke and football=oxymoron